“Finding Santa: A Christmas Adventure” Review
After the success and iconography of Rankin Bass, there was a time when every television station wanted their own animate special for the Christmas season. Many of them meant well with fairly original concepts for a Christmas special but held back with animation that was cheap at best and horrifying Continue Reading
“Frozen II” Review
While 2013’s Frozen became firmly lodged in the pop-culture consciousness for its numerous merchandising and constant repetition of the soundtrack, it was also a film of great surprise and subversion. Shifting the tale from being about finding true love to staying to your sibling, the charming characters and visual splendor Continue Reading
“The Addams Family” (2019) Review
The Addams Family is a premise that seems as though it’d be perfect for animation. A comically creepy family living in a haunted house with all manner of monsters lurking about would be suited well for a medium where anything is possible. But when mired in the current framework of Continue Reading
“Toy Story 4” Review
Only the saga of Toy Story could be bold enough to charge into a fourth film after 24 years and still have that same engaging edge that only grows grander with age. I haven’t outgrown these toys as they always seem to bounce back with more to say and something Continue Reading
“Missing Link” Review
The Laika animation studio continues to churn out some of the most original and boundary-pushing of stop-motion animation. Their previous works include the culturally creative Kubo and the Two Strings and the exciting horror ParaNorman. While Missing Link isn’t quite the same level of a masterpiece, it does go to Continue Reading
“Reign of the Supermen” Review
The Death of Superman is perhaps one of the most powerful of comic books and received not one but two animated movies around this major event in comic book history. But, of course, like all superheroes, Superman would not stay dead forever. And so begun a convoluted and messy tale Continue Reading
“Ruben Brandt, Collector” Review
The world of Ruben Brandt is as odd and surreal as the titular character’s thoughts about conquering fear. He believes the best way to make the nightmares cease of famous paintings haunting his visions and killing him in his dreams is to steal the paintings. It somehow makes sense to Continue Reading
“How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” Review
After nearly a decade, the saga of How To Train Your Dragon comes in for a landing with the third film to supposedly close out the trilogy. And so it’s time to say goodbye to the familiar characters of the meek-turned-leader Hiccup and the beast-turned-friend dragon Toothless. Oh, and you’ll Continue Reading
“The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” Review
2014’s The Lego Movie was such a groundbreaking animated take on toy-based property films that a sequel would not be easy to craft. So it’s not the least bit surprising that The Lego Movie 2 treads and fairly safe ground, taking care to stick to what made the first film Continue Reading
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” Review
If you’re still wondering why superhero movies are still prevalent and prospering in the face of saturation, it’s because many of the Marvel productions are experimenting and venturing down paths less explored for superhero cinema. In a year where Marvel has already shattered expectations with tales of politics (Black Panther) and Continue Reading